Our duty to defend Zakir, say PAS, Umno leaders

SM Amin SM Amin Updated 6 years ago · Published on 19 Aug 2019 7:00AM · 13 Comments

Dr Zakir Naik (centre) with Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah during his ‘Misconceptions about Islam’ talk held at the Kota Darul Naim complex, Kota Baru, a fortnight ago. PAS and Umno leaders say critics of the Indian-born preacher have no right to call for his deportation. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, August 19, 2019.

DR Zakir Naik is an Islamic intellectual who can unite the ummah and must be defended from attacks by numerous quarters, said Umno and PAS lawmakers.

The Mumbai-born preacher’s teaching must be seen positively and those who object him must do so in a professional and factual manner instead of using lame excuses to force the government to deport him, they said.

Zakir’s talks are based on Islamic teachings, Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (PAS-Pasir Puteh) told The Malaysian Insight.

“Zakir’s talks are based in Islamic preaching to save mankind and create a harmonious community.

“The non-Muslims should not see this as something negative or as a threat.”

He added that Zakir’s detractors should rebut him factually.

“And if they can’t do that, they should not be using excuses to get him out of the country.”

Several non-Muslim ministers have recently urged the cabinet to revoke Zakir’s permanent residency and send him back to India where he is wanted for terrorism charges following his divisive speeches in Malaysia.

In Zakir’s last public appearance in Kelantan, he allegedly made anti-Indian and anti-Chinese remarks.

He is being investigated by the police for hate speech and will face further questioning today.

At the same time, Perlis, Kedah and Penang have banned Zakir from conducting programmes in their states.

Defending Zakir, Nik Zawawi said the preacher is not forcing Islam on others, instead only explaining the beauty of the faith.

“He was only putting forward his views. Although Islam is a righteous faith, there is nothing we can do if others do not want to be a follower.

“At the same time, we will have to adhere to our federal constitution which states Islam is the official religion of this country, while other religions can be practised here but they can’t spread their religion.”

Perlis Umno chief Shahidan Kassim said Zakir is not a threat to anyone, except to those who are anti-Islam.

“Zakir is an Islamic intellectual. When someone wants our protection, is it fair for us to hand him over to a country where he might be unfairly treated and face injustice?

“When the prophet migrated to Medina, he was welcomed there and the people of Medina didn’t force him back to Mecca to be tortured,” he said.

The former minister also said the Pakatan Harapan ministers should pay more attention addressing economic issues instead of playing up polemic issues involving Zakir.

Political analyst Kamarul Zaman Yusoff from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) said both Umno and PAS are using Zakir to unite the Malays.

The Malays also see Zakir as a uniting factor in their fight against non-Muslims whom they feel are taking over their rights and privileges, he said.

“Zakir’s theme is very consistent, that is to unite Muslims and he is someone who can play that role to unite the Malays.

“And this is consistent with the political stand taken by Malay-based parties. The one party which seems to disagree with this is Amanah. The other Malay parties are all agreeable to Zakir’s theme and disagree that his PR should be revoked.”

He also said Zakir’s preaching so far hadn’t run afoul of the laws.

“But what is happening today is that his critics are using political power to force Zakir out of the country. If he had committed something wrong here, they should just charge him in court.”

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s political analyst Shamsul Amri Baharuddin said Umno and PAS are taking advantage of the Zakir issue to strengthen their position among the Malays.

“Zakir had a political role in the Umno-PAS’ sandiwara (show) fighting DAP. Whatever DAP objects against will be supported by Umno and PAS.”

There wouldn’t be any protest against Zakir if he concentrated solely on his Islamic works and stop engaging with his critics as he is then seen as a disruptive agent to the harmony of the country, he said.

“Zakir is an opportunist. It looks like he favours Umno and PAS. If only he concentrates on spreading the message of Islam, and stop touching on issues of the Indians and Chinese, there won’t be any problem.

“Umno and PAS are making use of Zakir and he is using them. This is billiard politics, you use a ball to hit two others.” – August 19, 2019.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • ZN is a pawn played by either side and at the end will be disposable.

    Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • He's not promoting the beauty of islam! Instead, he's painting a very negative picture of the beautiful religion among the nons.

    Posted 6 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • Didnt knew suddenly India citizen became malaysia poster boy!! Think how to assist the poor in malaysia

    Posted 6 years ago by Kalai Chelven · Reply

  • PAS and Umno leaders ,pls talk sense and logic. Zakir asked Chinese to go back China and Indians go back to India.This is purely politic, nothing to do with islam. Shahidan and Nik, both of you are outdated and cheap politicians. Can't u have better argument to win support? U r belittling to the extent of insulting our intelligence. U choose to be naive and stupid, pls keep it to yourself.

    Posted 6 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • I was born & bred in Malaysia, 3rd generation, I suddenly realised, after 70 years of living in Malaysia, that I was only a"Guest", according to ythe wanted fugitive terrorist & money-launderer, who is an imported foreigner. How about the other races, excluding the Orang Asli?

    Posted 6 years ago by Sidney Karan · Reply

  • Malays ask yourself a question when ZAKIR WAS NOT IN MSIA WERE MALAYS NOT UNITED. Were malays in msia Not Praying to Allah were they not practicing their Faith as warranted by Quran. Dont give kindergarten lame man excuses we all are adults. Our hair went grey not under the sun it went grey with experience. Zakir is a dangerous time bomb used by muslims to Finish the non muslims in msia. Only a TERRORIST can do this job . Look at asri perlis vinoth ridhuan tee etc they all are zakir students. All these guys are they talking abt QURAN TOLERANCE KINDNESS COMPASSIONATE The answer is NO. They are now speaking Zakir Naik language not QURAN Language. Islam is bad lights to the non malays. I ask PAS UMNO BN a question Dont u muslims want ISLAM to be RESPECTED. Do u have only a Fugitive or Terrorist to teach u Islam. There are many good Scholars Find a Good Clean One. Also what are ur Imams doin why dont they preach ISLAM according to QURAN In the mosque ???????

    Posted 6 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • 90% Corruption in msia All done by Muslim Leaders . Muslims Cheated the Muslims The Damage has to be paid by Non Muslims. Todate the TRUTH is that MUSLIMS HV NEVER FOLLOWED THE QURAN They follow people like zakir naik .

    Posted 6 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • PAS and UMNO are so readily to defend a foreigner just because he is a Muslim. They talked " c**k " when saying they are also defending the interest of minorities in this country. They should not be allowed to return to be the government if we want to live in harmony. PH please wake up before it is too late.

    Posted 6 years ago by Wei Kuan Tan · Reply

  • All Religion that is send by GOD TO EARTH Teaches LOVE TOLERANCE KINDNESS COMPASSION HUMANITY

    Posted 6 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • Is this religion he is preaching when he tells others who are rightful citizens to go back to China? Is this how a religious leader behaves? It looks like he is just using the religion and using UMNO and PAS for his own selfish reasons to escape the law that is coming down on him for terrorism and money-laundering.

    Posted 6 years ago by BC Lim · Reply

  • It looks like UMNO-PAS have to use foreigner to fan the toxic politics of race and religion in order to stay politically relevance.

    Posted 6 years ago by Kimeng Ng · Reply

  • Your duties are to defend all Malaysians and eradicate all forms of corruptions and racial and religious discrimination. Why you want waste time on this foreign fella versus spend time to work with other races to build a better Malaysia. These are selective support purely for your political and religious agendas

    Posted 6 years ago by Wei Kuan Tan · Reply

  • Hello you go and preach this in China and see..then you will know what China can do..
    Malaysian are tolerant all the way but to talk politic about Malaysian it bridge too far

    Posted 6 years ago by Kalai Chelven · Reply